STATEMENT

BY H.E. AMBASSADOR BUI THE GIANG

DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF VIETNAM

AT THE 2^ND COMMITTEE GENERAL DEBATE

New York, 06 October 2009

 

Mr. Chairman,

Allow me, first of all, to congratulate you on your election as Chairman of the 2^nd Committee. I also wish to extend my congratulations to other members of the Bureau. I am convinced that your longstanding experience and in-depth knowledge of the current international affairs will enable you to successfully discharge the high responsibility of your office and lead the work of the Committee to a productive conclusion.

My Delegation endorses the statements to be made by the Sudan on behalf of the Group of 77 and China and by Indonesia on behalf of ASEAN.

            Mr. Chairman,

With the global economic downturn spreading to every corner of the globe, causing severe damage to the people’s life, and eroding hard-earned socio-economic achievements, the international community is facing formidable challenges in all aspects of development. The adverse impacts have been evident in the sharp decline in trade, foreign investment, development resources and economic growth, resulting in high unemployment rates and widespread relapse into impoverishment and social instability. Developing countries, especially the least developed countries and countries with vulnerable economies, have found themselves confronted by more and greater difficulties in realizing inclusive and equitable growth and development. In many countries, the progress toward MDGs fulfillment and poverty reduction targets, which was recorded at high costs in normal conditions, now becomes stagnant and portentous to be behind schedule.

In this context, integrated synergy of the entire international community is extremely needed to better address those challenges with urgency, certainty, and adequacy of resources. It is essential to strengthen relevant international cooperation institutions and multilateral systems in a spirit of partnership, cooperation and solidarity. The international monetary and financial architecture should be more radically reformed to improve transparency, efficiency and equity in representation, working mechanisms and dicision-making processes alike. The United Nations – the G-192 as we have often referred to during these days – should be strengthened to best play its central role in the global response mechanism to the global challenges. Member States should increase their international responsibilities not only in effectively implementing all internationally agreed action plans, programs and commitments but also in promoting global cooperation and partnerships, particularly the North-South, North-South-South and South-South cooperation. Developing countries should work harder to improve their overall governance efficiency and performance in economic and financial operations, including the more efficient use of the increasingly scarce resources. Developed countries should do more to fulfill their commitments to assisting developing countries in promoting trade, mobilizing development resources, rescheduling debt, transferring technology, and facilitating participation in the international financial architecture with a view to building a better world characterized by MDGs accomplishment, poverty alleviation, green environment, and green and sustainable development.

Mr. Chairman,

The Government of Viet Nam has made every effort to overcome the negative impact of the global crisis on the country, especially on the rural areas which are home to nearly 70% of its population. As an open economy with foreign trade amounting to 160% of its GDP, Viet Nam suffered considerably from the crisis. For the first 7 months of this year, on a YOY basis, the registered FDI inflows went down by 81.2%, export of goods dropped by 13.4%; import of goods declined by 32%; and unemployment rates went up, particularly in export-related sectors. The Government has adopted a wide range of economic policies and measures, including several stimulus packages, to curb economic slowdown, stimulate growth, and ensure social security and equity. Short-term economic stimulus measures have been undertaken alongside intensive work to consolidate development fundamentals and accelerate economic restructuring, with a focus on inherent weaknesses in infrastructures, human resources and market institutions. At the same time, policies have been adjusted to address the many challenges pertaining to rural development, industrialization, ICT and trade development, poverty relief, and natural disaster and climate change response in order to ensure both immediate recovery from the crisis and more sustainable development in the post-crisis period in the longer run. Consequently, initial positive results have been recorded, most notably the macro economic, monetary and financial stability, and a GDP growth rate of almost 5% in the first 9 months of this year.

Mr. Chairman,

Encouraged by the on-track economic recovery, we are well aware that for full recovery and sustainable development to be materialized, all-out efforts of our nation are not sufficient. We continue to need international support and assistance. We are also prepared to cooperate with other countries throughout this process. In the same spirit, my Delegation pledges to work closely with Mr. Chairman, other Board members and all other Delegations so as to come up with effective solutions to the common issues on the global development agenda entrusted to this Committee.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.